This piece is my first collaboration, writing in partnership with Tim King, the current Bard of Exeter and long time organiser of Exeter’s poetry open mic “Taking The Mic” and annual Exeter Poetry Slam
TIM:
"I haven't seen you in ages"
a chance encounter on a walk around the cemetry
didn't recognise you without the trademark boots
I supposed the reason is it's Summer now
flip-flop time
as we hurtle headlong towards the great unlocking
but I'm wrong
"Holes in the soles" you say
It's been a while.
KIMWEI:
“I haven’t seen you in ages, hello!” you shout, from your rolled down car window as you drive right up to the house, your newly bleached blonde hair blowing in the spring breeze. I’m glad you called out to me because although I’m expecting you, I swear I would never have recognised you. As you lift your sunglasses I see you face more angular than before and think how much you’ve changed in one spin around the sun, but surely I haven’t, have I?
“Hello stranger!” I call back, beaming a smile that unlocks my heart, “Park on the left.” You park the car and get out. I can’t wait to show you my new place, but first you walk towards me smiling warmly, your outstretched arms... holding out a lateral flow test for me to take.
TIM:
Familiar face, unfamiliar expression
I haven't seen you in ages and yet,
looking in your eyes, it feels like yesterday.
Overwhelmed by the sense we've passed this time differently;
come out of the cocoon on different sides of the world.
You in shades, squinting in your synthetic sunshine
whilst I shelter from the Devon drizzle, even as the rays beat down.
My grief is your torment - your frozen detachment mine.
Soon we will clasp hands, laugh and unlock
and whatever flows will flow.
KIMWEI:
“I haven’t seen you in ages,” David says, pouring me fresh mint tea in the back garden.
“Yes, it’s been so long”, his wife Tammy goes on “tell us all! What have you been up to?” My mind goes blank. I have literally no idea, my entire memory of the last year has been stolen, as if they existed all this time and I simply ceased to. What IS my news? One day has been the same as the last, for ever so long. I look at my cup of tea for clues to jog my memory and in the end I say,
“oh, I’ve started drinking Earl Grey at home, you know…”
Thankfully David chimes in with, “Glad to hear it, my favourite! At least until Tammy started growing the fresh mint in the garden.”
He holds up his cup as if to say “cheers” and I’m saved, so
“It’s lovely,” I reply, and then I say something that is guaranteed to unlock hours of conversation “Tammy, you must tell me more about your garden,” and she does.
lyrics
TIM:
"I haven't seen you in ages"
a chance encounter on a walk around the cemetry
didn't recognise you without the trademark boots
I supposed the reason is it's Summer now
flip-flop time
as we hurtle headlong towards the great unlocking
but I'm wrong
"Holes in the soles" you say
It's been a while.
KIMWEI:
“I haven’t seen you in ages, hello!” you shout, from your rolled down car window as you drive right up to the house, your newly bleached blonde hair blowing in the spring breeze. I’m glad you called out to me because although I’m expecting you, I swear I would never have recognised you. As you lift your sunglasses I see you face more angular than before and think how much you’ve changed in one spin around the sun, but surely I haven’t, have I?
“Hello stranger!” I call back, beaming a smile that unlocks my heart, “Park on the left.” You park the car and get out. I can’t wait to show you my new place, but first you walk towards me smiling warmly, your outstretched arms... holding out a lateral flow test for me to take.
TIM:
Familiar face, unfamiliar expression
I haven't seen you in ages and yet,
looking in your eyes, it feels like yesterday.
Overwhelmed by the sense we've passed this time differently;
come out of the cocoon on different sides of the world.
You in shades, squinting in your synthetic sunshine
whilst I shelter from the Devon drizzle, even as the rays beat down.
My grief is your torment - your frozen detachment mine.
Soon we will clasp hands, laugh and unlock
and whatever flows will flow.
KIMWEI:
“I haven’t seen you in ages,” David says, pouring me fresh mint tea in the back garden.
“Yes, it’s been so long”, his wife Tammy goes on “tell us all! What have you been up to?” My mind goes blank. I have literally no idea, my entire memory of the last year has been stolen, as if they existed all this time and I simply ceased to. What IS my news? One day has been the same as the last, for ever so long. I look at my cup of tea for clues to jog my memory and in the end I say,
“oh, I’ve started drinking Earl Grey at home, you know…”
Thankfully David chimes in with, “Glad to hear it, my favourite! At least until Tammy started growing the fresh mint in the garden.”
He holds up his cup as if to say “cheers” and I’m saved, so
“It’s lovely,” I reply, and then I say something that is guaranteed to unlock hours of conversation “Tammy, you must tell me more about your garden,” and she does.
credits
from Band of Bards,
released May 26, 2021
Kimwei McCarthy in collaboration with Tim King
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